Children's Nutrition
Focus on Childhood Disorders & Nutrition

Common Disorders In Children
Overworked parents, over-scheduled children's lives and inadequate access to quality nutrition information can result in health disorders that could easily have been prevented in the first place.

Today, the average urban child eats out more often at fast food restaurants, is physically less active and eats more energy dense foods compared to what children did just ten to fifteen years ago. These lifestyle changes have brought about a spike in childhood disorders.
Can Nutrition Alleviate & Help Control Childhood
Disorders.
A healthy active child that is consciously raised on nutritious eating habits is guaranteed a lifetime of healthy living.

Children at different stages of development have different nutritional needs. From prenatal where a mother's inadequate diet in iron and folic acid can lead to birth and physical disabilities, to an infant that needs iron for growth, to a teenager who isn't getting the nutrients for an active and strong musculoskeletal body.
IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA (IDA)

What is iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is caused when there are low levels of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body, caused by insufficient amount of iron in the body.
It is the most common form of anemia, especially among children. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin-which is the red pigment of RBC’s. In the presence of iron, hemoglobin carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the body. If iron stores in the body are inadequate, hemoglobin looses its capacity to function optimally, thereby resulting in poor nourishment of the tissues, which eventually precipitates as ANEMIA.

The iron stores in babies are about 500 milligrams (mg). By the time they reach adulthood they need to have about 5000 mg. Children need to absorb an average of 1 mg per day of iron to keep up with the needs of their growing bodies. Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to ingest 8-10mg of iron per day. But if their diets do not provide adequate amounts of iron, at such times they are easily prone to IDA. Breast-fed babies need less, because iron absorption is almost 3 times better.
How can it affect my child?
Many kids with iron deficiency do not show any symptoms because the body's iron stores are depleted slowly. If your child exhibits the following symptoms overtly, then this should be brought to the attention of the pediatrician immediately.
Symptoms: Pale skin, fatigue, irritability, weakness, shortness of breath, sore tongue, brittle nails, unusual food cravings, headache and impaired attention span are some of the most common symptoms. These can weaken the immune system making he child more susceptible to infections and other diseases. Note: There may be no symptoms if the anemia is mild. But, if left untreated, it may lead to behavioral or learning problems. In school-going children, iron deficiency is an important cause of decreased attention span, alertness, and learning.

What can I do about it?
 Timely diagnosis and treatment is the best way to deal with this condition. Maintaining healthy iron balance levels through diet and nutrition is essential to prevent a recurrence.

We advise you to regularly take your child for annual routine check ups to your pediatrician. If IDA is suspected during the clinical examination, then the doctor would prescribe a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. A CBC (complete blood count) is a simple test that measures the amount of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells present. Serum Iron levels can also be measured to confirm the diagnosis of IDA.

But it's also important to keep these following things in mind:
  		• Infants younger than 1 year should drink only breast milk or an infant formula supplemented with iron. It is important for breast-fed infants to receive solid foods starting at about 6 months of age.
  		• Children under 2 years should have no more than 24 ounces of cow's milk a day. As noted earlier, milk can inhibit absorption of iron, and drinking too much milk can dampen a child's appetite for other iron-rich foods.
    Iron is found in many foods, including lean meats, poultry, fish, iron-fortified whole-grain breads, nuts, dates, dried beans, and dark green leafy vegetables.
    Recommended Dietary Iron Allowances for Kids in India (NIN)
    Age
    Males (mg/day)
    Females (mg/day)
    7 to 12 months
    11
    11
    1 to 3 years
    12
    12
    4 to 8 years
    18 -20
    18 -20
    9 to 13 years
    30
    23
    Recommended Dietary Iron Allowances for Kids in The United States (USDA)
    Age
    Males (mg/day)
    Females (mg/day)
    6 to 12 months
    11
    11
    1 to 12 years
    7 to 10
    7 to 10
    13 to 16
    11
    15
    Young athletes
    May need supplements
    May need supplements
    ASTHMA - A Growing Childhood Scourge

    Asthma, a chronic lung condition has become a very common medical condition among children today. The numbers of young people and children with asthma is rising. The disease is more common in city-dwellers than rural residents. Some airborne substances like second-hand smoke, exhaust pollution from cars may trigger allergy or asthma symptoms.
    By reducing contact with these substances early in life parents can delay or prevent the onset of allergy or asthma symptoms. When triggered it causes swelling in the air passages of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Typical symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

    Many things can trigger a physiological reaction which can range from mild to severe symptoms. These include:

  		•  Allergens - mold, pollen, animals
  		• Irritants - cigarette smoke, air pollution
  		• Weather - cold air, changes in weather
  		• Exercise
  		• Infections - flu, common cold

    What are the symptoms of asthma? If your child has any of these symptoms,
    please contact your pediatrician immediately.

  		• Wheezing
  		• Chronic cough
  		• Shortness of breath
  		• Tightness in the chest

    Can diet help a child's asthma? While a diet is no means a cure, numerous studies have shown that a healthy diet can help reduce the side effects from asthma medications and help in the absorption of calcium and vitamin C. Studies have also shown that a Mediterranean style diet, rich in vegetables and fruit, and low in saturated fats can be highly beneficial. This diet is high in magnesium and anti-oxidants and appears to have a protective effect against wheezing and allergic rhinitis.
    How can it affect my child?
    Dr. Raju Khubchandani a leading expert in childhood asthma from Mumbai – India says, “The answer is yes. Moderate and severe forms of asthma that are uncontrolled or poorly controlled can be an important cause of growth failure in children.”

    He goes on to stress, “Some lay persons believe that standard doses of inhaled steroids (the back bone of treatment) may cause growth failure but this is not true. In fact disease rather than drug is the more important consideration.”

    Tips to control asthma:
    1. Make every effort to reduce the allergens in your child's environment.
    2. Work with your child's doctor to understand the treatment he has prescribed. This will afford your child the best chance of controlling the disease and allowing him or her to lead a normal, healthy life.
    3. Maintain a healthful diet. The dieticians at NutritionVista are well-trained and experienced to provide just that.

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